LeoVegas Group has become the latest online gambling operator to secure approval from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to launch in the Canadian province’s regulated market.
The AGCO notified LeoVegas that while it had not yet received a licence, it had been registered as an igaming operator, which all but cleared the way for it to launch in the province.
LeoVegas will now be required to enter into an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario, the subsidiary of AGCO that will oversee the market, in order to launch when the market opens on April 4.
Should LeoVegas secure final approval as expected, it will offer online casino, live casino and betting under its LeoVegas and Royal Panda brands.
LeoVegas said that launching in Ontario would be in line with its strategy to grow in locally regulated markets and soon-to-be regulated markets, with plans also in place to go live in the US later this year, beginning with New Jersey.
“Over recent years, the LeoVegas brand has become the third most well-known casino brand in the Canadian market and Royal Panda has shown strong growth – a clear sign that the mobile gaming experience we offer is appreciated by North American customers,” LeoVegas chief executive Gustaf Hagman said.
“Our full focus now is to complete the process and we look forward to launch in a regulated environment. Given our track record and knowledge to operate in regulated markets we continue to have high expectations and ambitions for continued growth in the Ontario market.”
In recent weeks, Rush Street Interactive and 888 have secured approval to launch in Ontario when the market opens next month.